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View Full Version : Refrigerator hot, GE sidebyside, defrost replaced


Scout123
Jun 5, 2011, 01:59 PM
Fresh food section, on GE side by side (TFT20SABKWW), had been getting warm. Compressor and fan running okay, condenser coils clean. Saw that evaporator coils frozen up. Defrosted and replaced defrost timer, defrost heat and thermastat. Evaporator fan running and damper open. I now can't get my refrigerator to chill. It is staying room temperature. Had FF side set at 5 for 3 hours and since temp. got hotter, just now pushed it up to 7. Any thoughts? Thank you. Debbie

DocRyan
Jun 5, 2011, 07:05 PM
There is a fan in the freezer called the evaporator fan motor, do you hear that running when you open the freezer door? On some models you will have to hold down the door switch to get the fan to run.

Scout123
Jun 5, 2011, 09:34 PM
Thanks for the quick response. Yes, the plastic evaporator fan is running. I do have another question as I try to figure out the first one, if that's okay. If I get the proper amp reading for the new heater and thermostat, does that mean that the defrost cycle will automatically work? I did replace the defrost timer too. Is there a way I am to check (once the box gets cold), or do I just assume it is operational the same as I would assume with a new refrigerator? Debbie

Scout123
Jun 5, 2011, 09:35 PM
I forgot to mention that when I pushed the temperature 'slider' bar up to #7, the refrig. Temperature did decrease (just not enough) and the freezer did get a couple of degrees warmer.

DocRyan
Jun 6, 2011, 07:06 AM
If you installed the defrost timer correctly then it should go through the automatic defrost cycle every XX hours (each timer is different, most are between 8 and 12 hours), the defrost cycle is usually around 30 minutes.

Check for frost build up in the holes at the top and bottom, this is where the air circulates between the refrigerator and freezer, if one of them has frost inside then it will not be able to cool.

I would recommend setting both of the temperature settings in the middle for best cooling results.

Also, check the door light switch for the refrigerator side to make sure that the light bulb is turning on/off properly.

Scout123
Jun 7, 2011, 03:28 PM
Doc Ryan, thanks for all of your help! Refrig/freezer now working okay. Thank goodness! Debbie

DocRyan
Jun 7, 2011, 07:59 PM
You're welcome!